Immigration and border control issues dominate our news and divide our nation, but God’s not divided nor is He confused on this or any issue—and we should not be either.
In fact, there are clear, biblical principles on why no one should be confused about God’s position on immigration and borders. Let’s look at borders first. In Acts 17:26, Paul says that God established nations and borders. Daniel 2 says He raises up leaders and nations, and He puts them down.
Without borders there’s no order, no law, no justice. Without borders, God’s promise to bless the nation whose God is the Lord could never occur. God’s plan of redemption revolves around nations. In time, God will judge all nations who reject Him. Is it any wonder that the coming anti-Christ and globalists demand open borders?
If borders or walls are immoral—as even some religious leaders contend—then Nehemiah was wrong. And even more so, God Himself is wrong, because heaven has walls and gates, and Jesus says that whoever circumvents one gate and climbs in another way is a thief and robber.
Borders are essential to nations. In fact, the definition of nation includes a common language, a common view of God and common borders. God’s blessings and judgment are bestowed on individuals and nations. Therefore, borders and border control are essential to protect a nation’s citizens and should rise to the highest of concerns for those in civil authority.
Additionally, this immigration controversy is not only political but moral. The Scripture passage most used to justify open borders and weak immigration policies is Leviticus 19:34, where God commanded Israel to welcome the stranger or sojourner as one who’s native born.
By itself, this verse sounds compelling and unconditional, but it’s not. The Hebrew word for stranger in this text is ‘ger,’ and it means the immigrant wanting to assimilate—to embrace the God of Israel and their laws.
King Solomon in II Chronicles 6:32 repeated this: “If a sojourner comes to the land ‘because of our God’ and prays in the temple … then welcome them in.” To be welcome, immigrants must submit not rebel, fear God, and not fight for atheism or Allah.
Then in Isaiah 1:7, God uses another Hebrew word for stranger—‘zur,’ which means an enemy or one who would not assimilate and who hated the God of heaven. Because Israel would not obey God on matters of borders and immigration and point people to the God of heaven, Isaiah said that God would use these strangers as judgment. They would desolate the land, burn the cities with fire and overthrow the nation. There’s a horrible price to pay for wrongly interpreting God’s Word.
Therefore, we can ask again: Is it moral to deny access to some ‘would-be’ immigrants? Does God’s Word provide clarity? The answer is yes.
Our government has a unique duty to God and to the citizen—one might even call it a moral duty. Different from the Church’s duty to care for the sick and reach out to those who don’t yet know the God of heaven, government’s duty according to Romans 13 is to enact justice, enforce the law and protect the citizen.
This is why God provided civil government with the sword of justice. This is, in part, why we are to pray for those in authority—that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives and because they are accountable to God.
God’s Word does hold all the answers about borders, immigration and much more, but only if we read God’s instruction for our lives and our nations, take them to heart and follow them.
The Hon. Sam Rohrer is president of theAmerican Pastors Network, a national network of pastors with constitutional and biblical teachings that discusses today’s pressing issues. He was a Pennsylvania lawmaker for 18 years and hosts the daily “Stand in the Gap Today” national radio program on more than 400 stations.
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